{"id":372909,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-second-degree-murder.html"},"modified":"2025-12-04T08:49:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:49:43","slug":"hawaii-second-degree-murder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-second-degree-murder.html","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Second-Degree Murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hawaii Second-Degree Murder<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Second-degree murder<\/span> in Hawaii<\/span> is the act of intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person<\/span>. It\u2019s classified as a serious felony under the Hawaii<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span>. A conviction for second-degree murder<\/span> can carry a sentence of life imprisonment<\/span> with the possibility of parole<\/span>, making it critical for anyone facing homicide, murder, or violent crime charges in Hawaii<\/span> to understand the elements, penalties, and possible defenses.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Taking another person\u2019s life is a serious offense. A second-degree murder<\/span> charge<\/span><\/a> may contain lesser included offenses such as manslaughter and negligent homicide<\/span>. Hawaii<\/span>\u2019s negligent homicide<\/span> statutes<\/a> include offenses involving deaths caused by the operation of a vehicle and function similarly to what many states label vehicular manslaughter.<\/p>\n

Since first-degree murder<\/span><\/a> is limited to specific cases, courts can enhance or mitigate second-degree murder<\/span> charges<\/span> if conditions warrant it.<\/p>\n

Hawaii<\/span> Second-Degree Murder<\/span> Law<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under Hawaii<\/span> law<\/span>, both first- and second-degree murder<\/span> occur when someone \u201cintentionally or knowingly causes the death of another person<\/span>.\u201d First-degree murder<\/span> in Hawaii<\/span><\/a> applies when the defendant:<\/p>\n